US2588385A - Printing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

March 11, 1952 H. H. HILLMER ETAL 2,588,385

PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 1. 1947 5 sheets-snee*u 1 0 fz 6 66 66. /sle f /0 n 2a `Imventcnc @wat Bg y Gttorneg March 11, 1952 Filed Aug. l, 1947 H. H. HILLMER ET AL PRINTING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 (Ittorncy March 11, 1952 H. H. HILLMER ET AL 2,588,385

PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Augl. 1947 5 Sheu-:fts-SneefI 3 v im znven, Fig.

aforneg March l1, 1952 I H H. HILLMER- T AL 2,588,385

PRINTING *APPARATUS :238 M0 Fig.12. 2%@ M3222 Gttorneg MarCh 11, 1952 H. H. HILLMER ETAL 2,588,385

PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Aug. l, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Mar. 11, 1952 PRINTING APPARATUS Herman H. Hillmer and Henry P. Or'ent, Omaha,

Nebr., assignors to Printing Engineers Incorporated, Omaha, Nebr., a corporation of Nebraska Application August 1, 1947, Serial No. 765,400

3 Claims.

This invention relates to contact printing machines and more particularly it is an object of the invention to provide a printing machine particularly adapted for accurately reproducing a single image or group of images from a film, plate, or the like into a plurality of positions on an image-receiving film, plate or the like.

Machines of the general type described, are referred to in the art as step-and-repeat machines and employ two oppositely disposed holders for receiving printing material, one of the holders being movable with respect to the other so that a single image from material on one of the holders can be reproduced' in a plurality of positions on the material on the other holder by successive exposure steps. It is very important in such a progress that the images be reproduced with accuracy in predetermined positions so that there is no waste of material.

This application includes the frame structure of the printing machin-e and the reciprocating carriages, the copending application with the Serial No. 74,323 includes the step and repeat structure with the support lowering and carriage locking means, the copending application with the Serial No. '74,324 includes the punch structure and nlm positioning elements, and the copending application with the Serial No. 74,810 includes the lamp housing and vacuum producing means.

Particular difculty has been found in two color printing with prior art machines since great accuracy of operation is required to register an image of one color within an image of another color without objectionable overlapping. Overlapping is similarly undesirable although not as noticeable in one color printing.

Machines of the prior art have employed micrometer screws, and the like in an attempt to facilitate the proper positioningv of the holders. Considerable waste has been occasioned in their use, however, since the factor of human error is involved.. Additionally, such micrometer screws become imperfect through wear.

A further disadvantage of prior art machines has been the relatively crude methods used for attaching printing positives and negatives to the respective holders. Pressure sensitive tape,V cementitious material, and paste have been employed with attendant loss of time and with waste resultant from inaccuracy.

It has been especially difficult and almost impossible with machines cf the prior art to truly position a film upon a holder at times when a two or three color reproduction is required. An-

2 other disadvantage of such machines has been the employment of a vertically disposed plate or holder to which it is especially diiiicult to accurately attach lm.

It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a machine which is so constructed that accurate results may be obtained therefrom.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a machine as described having the accuracy of operation required to register an image of one color within an image of another color without objectionable overlapping.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine as described which employs iilm holders which are normally horizontally disposed dui-lne use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine as described employing vacuum as a more ecient means to' secure printing material to the oppositely disposed holders thereof.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a machine for reproducing an image in a plurality of positions which employs detents which may be accurately spaced apart prior to operation and which are not as susceptible to inaccuracy, due to wear, as devices of the prior A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of a mounting for pivotally and slideably carrying one of the holders of the invention in a manner, whereby the holder can be swung from a horizontal use position to a vertical position for facilitating the placing of a sheet of printing material thereon.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a machine as described, one of the holders of which is particularly mounted in a manner adapted to compensate for other inaccuracies and for varying thicknesses of lms, plates and the like, to cause oppositely disposed ones of the latter, when in use with the invention, to be pressed against each other for preventing light from entering therebetween.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method of and means for accurately and quickly placing image-bearing printing material upon one of the holders of the invention.

Other and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machine,

Figure 6 is an edge view of the detent shown Y in Figure Figure 7 depicts a fragmentary portion of a vacuum connection for a photographic positive holder employed, the said connection being employed for causing photographic material to adhere to a fiat surface;

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail of a portion of the new device and showing a locking dog which is cooperative with the detent members such as are shown in detail in Figures 5 and 6;

Figure 9 is a front elevation view of the parts shown in Figure S as seen from the right-hand side thereof;

Figure 10 is a view-in-section of a lamp-housing employed together with adjunct parts of the latter and portions of the frame being broken away; the view being taken along the line lll- I0 of Figure 13.

Figure 11 is a view-in-section taken along the line II-II of Figure 10 of one of four compensating devices employed for causing a photographic negative secured to the lamp-housing, to become truly positioned and in light excluded contact with a film plate employed;

Figure 12 is a top plan view of the lamp-housing shown in Figure 10, together with adjunct parts thereof;

Figure 13 is a view-in-section of the lamphousing Vand attached adjunct parts as seen along line Iii-I3 of Figure 10;

Figure 14 is a top plan view of a film punching device employed; Y

Figure 15 is a view-in-section taken along the line I5-I5 of Figure 14; and

Figure 16 is a fragmental side view of the punch of Figure 14.

TheY printing machine of this invention includes a frame or support I0, mounted upon suitable legs I2. The frame I is preferably provided with an elongated platform top having a plurality, preferably two, parallel spaced apart tracks, guides or rails I4, mounted thereon. The tracks or rails I4, are preferably in the form of rounded tubular pipes and are supported in blocks or shims I6.

Above the rails or tracks I4, a second pair of rails I8 are disposed in a position transverse and at a right angle with respect to the rails I4. The tracks I8 are maintained in spaced apart parallelism by two suitable supporting brackets 2i). The latter are disposed transversely with respect to the second pair of tracks IB, one at each end thereof and positioned therebeneath. The brackets are each provided with an elongated mid-section and a grooved, transversely disposed, end portion 22 for receiving the tracks I8.

Disposed beneath and attached to each of the end portions 22 of the brackets 2G, one of four roller supporting brackets 24 are provided. Each of the roller brackets 24, on the left-hand side of the machine, are provided with two rollers 26 mounted on suitable axles for bearing against the corresponding track I4. Only one vertically disposed roller 2B is mounted on each of the right hand roller brackets 24, that one roller being maintained in alignment with the top of the right-hand track I4 by the provision of two inclinedly disposed rollers Z6 on Veach of the left-hand roller brackets 25.

As thus described, the second rails I8 are slideably mounted on the first rails 4 anddisposed at a right angle with respect thereto for movement only in directions in alignment with the latter. The brackets 2U, the end portions 22, and the rails I8 form a carriage for the support of a later described platform.

Above the upper rails I8 a horizontally disposed platform or holder 28 is provided for purposes later described. Beneath the holder plate 28 suitable brackets 35 and 32 are secured by means of bolts 34 and 36, respectively. The brackets 30, which are disposed toward the forward side of the machine as shown in Figure l, are each adapted to support a single rotatably mounted roller 45, which latter is adapted to rotate in a plane in an alignment with the corresponding upper track I 8. The rearward brackets 32 are each provided with two inclinedly disposed spaced apart rollegl 42, rotatably secured on suitable axles to the brackets ,'32 in positions for engaging the rearward upper track I8. The purpose of the rollers and 42 and the brackets 3l? and 32 is to support the plate or holder 28 in slideable relationship with respect to the upper track I8.

As best shown in Figures 8 and 9, a detent supporting rod 44 is disposed in parallelism with the right-hand lower rail or track I4, on the outer side thereof. The rod 44 is supported alongside the adjacent track I4 by means of a pair of suitable brackets 45 which are attached to the said adjacent track by means of suitable bolts 48. The brackets 46 are disposed at each end of the rod 44 and are attached thereto by means of suitable removable bolts 5S. vEach of the bolts 58 is disposed in a vertical position and is provided with a rogose head 52, so that the bolt 50 may be easily tightened or released by hand. i

At their lower end the bolts 52 are each provided with a threaded portion 54 of lesser diameter. The portions 54 are adapted to extend through apertures 56 in respective flattened extensions 58 at the ends of the rod 44. The extensions 58 rest upon the upper horizontal suru face of the bracket 46 and a threaded recess 60 is provided through each of the latter for the receipt of the lower end of the bolt 5S.

As thus described, each of the bolts 5l] are provided with a shoulder E2 at the upper end of the smaller diametered threaded lower portion 54 and the shoulders 52 are adapted to compress the extensions 58 against the flat upper surfaces of the brackets 46. A

The rods 44 are provided with an outstanding ridge 54 extending longitudinally thereof and protruding preferably from the upper side thereof. The rods 44 are preferably of circular shape in cross-section while the attached ridge 64 is of rectangular shape.

A plurality of like detents are arranged in a row and are each adapted to be disposed upon the rod The latter are best shown in Figures 5 and 6 and are provided with approximately yoke or IJ-shaped main body portions as shown of generally rectangular shape in side elevation. The main bodyportions are eachprovided -Witha circularrpassageway E8 extending therethrough for-,receiving the :rod 44 and the passageway 68 is in communication with a notch orkerf 10 provided in the uppermost or other portion of the wall thereof,A corresponding to the position of the ridge 64.

vThe kerfs 'l0 are co-extensive with the passageways 68 Vand are for the purposevof snugly receiving the ridge 64 for maintaining the detents 66 upright upon the rod 44.

The lower end of l each of the detents 66 -is bifurcated by means of a suitable slot 112 which extends inwardly to the passageway 68. A suitable aperture '14 is provided extending entirely through the bifurcated end of each of the detents 86 ina direction transverse with respect to the ,axis Aofthe passageway 68. The walls of that portion of the aperture 'i4 which isin the righthandsection of the bifurcated lower end of each detent 66, as shown in Figure 5, are threaded, while the walls of the left-hand lower end, as shown, are not threaded. The extreme lefthand end of the aperture 'I4 is provided with a portion of larger diameter than the remainder of the aperture 14.

As thus described the detents 65 are each formed having an open center bounded on two sides by two outwardly extending arms having ends which extend beyond and on either side of the rod 64.

Received in the apertures 74 is a suitable screw I6 and the latter is provided with a rectangular notch 18 in the vright-hand end thereof, as shown in Figure 5, so Vthat a key of rectangular cross-section may be inserted therein for rotating the screw 16 to draw the bifurcated lower ends of the detents 66 together about the rod 44. ri"he left-hand end of the screw 79, as shown in Figure 5, is not `threaded and is'providedfwithy a shoulder 'I5 of larger diameter than the remainder of the bolt 7S and of larger diameter than the adjacent smaller diametered portion of the aperture '14. At times -when the 4screw 'I4 is rotated, the bifurcated lower ends of the detents 6d will :be drawn ,together or permitted to spring apart.

The upper ends of each of the detents 66 are provided 4with two preferably integral nibs 86. The latter are oppositely disposed and spaced apart with respect to each other, having oppositely disposed parallel surfaces -82 at their lower ends. At their upper ends, the oppositely disposed portions of the nibs 80 are beveled away from each other as indicated at 84.

`At times when the detent members 66 are disposed upon therods 44' and the screws F6 vare in proper adjustment, Ythe vertically Vdisposed sides of thedetents 6G will be truly parallel and vertical so vthat the detente may be accurately spaced apart by means of inserting therebetween perfectly machined spacing blocks, not shown, and, by tightening the screws i6, the detents 68 are xed in permanent spaced relation with respect to each other. A set vor plurality of such spacing blocks may be kept adjacent the machine fer quickly and accurately spacing the detents .63 apart various distances as is desirable for purposes later described.

A supporting rod 86 is attachedrespectively to each of a pair ofvertical extensions 91, of the brackets22'at the right-hand side of the machine. The supporting rod 86 is best'shownin Figure 9 and is disposed parallel with and above the righthand one of the tracks I4. A pair or suitable screws Y88 are'emp-loyed at each end of each of the arm-shafts or rods 86 for attaching the. latter to the brackets24. At their upper ends each of 'the vertical extensions 81 Aare secured to the .corresponding roller supporting brackets 24'by means of suitable bolts 9D.

At one end of the supporting rod 86 a bifurcated arm 92 is rigidly secured thereto for rotation with the rod 86. lThe arm 92 is adapted to extendinwardly from the right-hand side of the rod 86 and the bifurcated inner ends of the arm 92 are apertured for receiving a pin 94, to which a shaft 9&5 is pivotally secured. The shaft 96 is provided with a ball 98 secured thereto, in spaced relation with respect to the pin 94.

The tall Q8 is adapted to be received in a socket i in an L-shaped socket bracket 62. The socket bracket It? is provided with a horizontal portion rigidly secured in any suitable manner to one of the right-hand end portions 22 of the track-supporting bracket 26. The L-shap-ed socket bracket 02 has a vertically disposed porticn extending downwardly from and secured to the horizontal portion and securely attached thereto.

The lower end of said vertically disposed bracket portion is biiurcated for providing a slot, the upper end of which is shown at dotted lines in Figure 8 at 64. The slot .64 extends from the bottom of the vertically disposed socket bracket portion upward through and past the well H19.

The purpose of the slot |64 is to receive the inward end of the shaft 96 and to permit the inward end of the shaft 93 to swing in a vertical plane at times when the ball 98, which is concentric with the shaft 96, is disposed in the well iil on the outer or right-hand side of the vertically disposed portion of the socket bracket portion |62.

A coiled ycompression spring 66 is disposed on the shaft 96 between the ball $8 and a collar |08 having a set screw l 99. The collar l D8 is sopositioned on the shaft 96 with respect to the ball 9d that when the arm 92 and the pin 94 are in an up position or in a down position with respect to a direct line between the well i and the bolts 96, the spring i will tend to hold the arm 25 in such a position.

A dog including a locking dog arm H9 is provided. adapted to swing in a vertical plane for cooperation vwith the detent G6 and the latter is rigidly secured about the rod S6 at its inner end by means oi aset-screw or bolt l i2 as best shown in Figure 9.

At the outer end of the locking dog arm H9, the locking dog is provided with a tab i i4 which is secured to the under side thereof by means of a suitable screw H6. The tab H4 is provided with a lower end of rectangular shape in horizontal cross-section, the width of said lower end corresponding to the spacing of the vertically dispos'd parallel walls 82 of the nib 38. The tab H4 tapers outwardly at its upper end corresponding' to the inclined upper oppositely disposed walls S4 of Vthe nibs 89. At its outer' end the locking dog arm H9 extends beyond the tab l le suniciently for providing a handle so that the operator may swing the tab H4 inte and out of engagement with the detent 65 against the ac tien of the spring |06.

As best shown in Aligures l and 2, a lsecond detent supporting rod I 2d is disposed in parallelism with and spaced outwardly trom the outer upper track i3. The rod iZl is similar in all respects to the detent supporting rod 44 and is lprovided with flattened ends 122 similar to theattened ends 58 of the rod 44. The rods 44 and |20 are both non-roundand are provided with longitudinal ridges similar to the ridge 04. The rod |20 is mounted upon a pair of suitable brackets |24, and held in position thereon by means of suitable set-screws |26 which are identical in all respects with the set-screws 50. The brackets |24 are, in turn, secured to the bottom of the forward upper track I8 by means of suitable bolts |21. Mounted in spaced relation upon the rod |20 are a plurality or row of detents |30 having tightening bolts ISI, and the latter are similar in all respects to the detents 56 and are disposed at a right angle thereto.

The rods 44 and |20 are both provided with at least an elongated center portion thereof of a uniform cross-section for receiving detents slideably thereon.

A'second locking dog including a second locking dog arm |32 is provided having a tab |34 for engaging the detents |80 and the arm |32 is similar in all respects to the arm H0. At its rearward end the arm |32 is rigidly secured to a suitable arm shaft |34 and the latter is rotatably mounted in suitable brackets |36 to the under side of the holder 28.

Also secured to the shaft |34 is a bifurcated arm |38 which is pivotally secured at its rearward end to a rod |40, having a coiled spring disposed thereabout, and a ball |42 rigidly secured thereto, the latter being adapted to be engaged in a suitable well, in a well supporting bracket |46.

The rod |40, ball |48 and adjunct parts are similar in all respects to the ball 98 and rod 00 and associated parts. The purpose of the arm |38 and spring |42 is to maintain the locking dog arm |32 in an engagement with .the detents |30 as later described.

The lower holder 28 is of rectangular shape in plan, as shown in Figure 2. The upper surface of the holder 28 is provided with a channel |41 of rectangular shape in plan and of triangular shape in cross-section. The channel |41 follows the perimeter of the holder 28 and is inwardly spaced therefrom.

As best shown in Figure 7, two or more vparts |48 are provided extending through the holder 28, the lower ends of the part |48 being in communication with hoses |49 through suitable couplings |50. The parts |48 are preferably disposed at opposite sides of the channel |41. The hoses |49 are each attached to a valve |5| which is in turn in communication with a vacuum tank as later described.

The purpose of the vacuum channel |41 is to secure a piece of image-receiving printing material |52, usually positive, to the flat upper surface of the lower holder 28 by opening the valve |I and permitting a vacuum to be drawn on the plate |52 through the channel |41.

Above the lower platform or holder 28 an upper holder having a flat under surface |54 is provided, as best shown in Figure 10. The upper holder is for the purpose of receiving a sheet of image-bearing printing material |53, disposed against the flat translucent underside |54 thereof, the material |53 usually being a negative film.

The underside |54 of the upper holder is composed preferably of a piece of translucent material such as plastic or glass normally disposed in a horizontal position, in parallelism with the upper surface of the platform or holder 28. The plastic or glass piece is provided with outwardly and upwardly beveled edges. The piece of glass |54 is disposed beneath and against the underside of a preferably rectangular annular' glass holder |56, and the latter is provided with a vertically extending rectangular ange |58 of lesser size in outer dimension than the inner walls of a later described rectangular normally vertically disposed lamp-box generally indicated at |00, so that the flange |58 is slideably disposed within the lower end of the latter, forming a bottom to the box |60, together with the glass plate |54.

The plate |54 is held in place against the flat lower side of the holder |56 by means of a rim |62, of rectangular shape in plan, which is`'lat on its upper and lower sides and inwardly pointed on its inner edge |84. The inclined upper surface of the pointed edge |54 is complemental to the beveled outer edge of the glass plate |54 and is adapted to bear upwardly against the latter to hold the plate against the holder |56, since the rim 52 is attached by any suitable means to the horizontally disposed main body portion of the holder |56.

The lower surface of the pointed edge |64 is inclined away from the beveled edge of the glass plate |54 for forming a channel or passageway |86, of triangular shape in cross-section and of rectangular shape in plan. As best shown in Figure 13, the holder |58 is provided with two openings |68 extending inwardly from the opposite sides thereof.

The openings |58 are in communication with the channel or passageway through suitable ports |10. Attached by means of suitable couplings |1I to the outer end of the openings |08 are two vacuum hoses |12. The purpose of the vacuum hoses |12 is to place the notched passageway |88 in communication with a later described vacuum pump for drawing a vacuum on the passageway |60 to cause the negative film |53 to adhere to the glass plate |54 during operation.

As best shown in Figure 13, a pair of round spaced apart pins |15 are removably received in two circular recesses |16, which latter extend inwardly of the bottom of the glass plate |54. The recesses |16 are disposed on the forward side of the rim |62, as shown in Figures 10 and 13, so that at times when the box |80 is tilted upwardly into a horizontal position as later described, the pins |15 will be positioned on the upper side of the rim |62 and protrude forwardly therefrom, for facilitating the positioning of a photographic negative on the glass plate |54.

The holder |56 is provided with four outstanding ears I1b` extending outwardly in a horizontal direction adjacent each corner thereof, as shown in Figure 10. The ears |16 are provided with suitable apertures |18, vertically disposed therethrough, for receiving the heads |80 of four bolts |82. The apertures |80 are of a larger diameter at their lower ends than at their upper ends and a collar |84 is provided at the upper end of each of the apertures |18, for restricting the latter and for forming a suitable shoulder |86 for preventing the passage therethrough of the heads |80 of the bolts |82.

The main Shanks of the bolts |82 extend vertically through suitable vertically disposed openings 88, in each of four lugs 80. The latter are rigidly secured to each of the corners of the rectangular box |00 in such positions that the openings |88 are in vertical alignment with the openings |18. The bolts |82 each extend upwardly through the openings |88 and into a restricted upper portion |02 of the latter, the restricted vortices 19.2. being for the purpose` .0f praising suitable shoulders |94 for bearing againstthe adjacent shoulders of the bolts |82, the said-shoulders being formed between the main body portion of the bolts |82 and an upper, threaded, bolt portion of lesser diameter.

The threaded portions of theboltsl |82 extend upwardly through each of the lugs |29 and are provided with nuts |98 for the purpose of drawing ythe shoulders of leach of the bolts |82 against the shoulders |94 of the lugs |99 so that the bolts-|92 are maintained in rigid normally vertical positions.

The purpose of the bolts |82 is to secure the holder 55 to the box |65 and a coiled compression spring |09 is provided on each of the bolts i82 for bearing against the shoulder |94 and the collars |84 to urge the holder |56 downwardly from the box |50 during operation. This is to cause the negative printing film |53 to be in tight-engagement with a positive photographic plate, which is placed during operation upon the top Vof the lower holder 28, despite variances in thicknesses of the positive and negative plates and despite possible mechanical defects.

The inner side of the side walls 22d of the box |60` are provided with a suitable notch 232 of generally rectangular shape in cross-section asV well as in plan View. The notch 222 is` for receiving and supporting a piece of frosted glass 204. Any other material may be used inl place of frosted glass as long as it fulfills the purpose of diffusing light, from later described bulbs 295,1 evenly over the glass plate |54.

A source of light is provided including one or more light bulbs 296, suspended by meansof suitable standards 293 from the top 2|@ ofthe box let. At-their lower ends the standards 228 are xed to a supporting-platform 2li. The latter' is in` turn provided with a plurality of suitable sockets 2M extending downwardly therefrom and supported thereby. Bulbs of various sizes may be placed within the sockets 214, as is illustrated in Figure l by the comparatively smaller size of other bulbs 2|6. The satisfactory use of light bulbs of various sizes is made possible through the light diffusing properties of the frosted glass plate 264.

Each of" thev sockets 2|4` is placed in cornmunioation by means of-suitable wires 2|S and- 2|9 with a suitable source of electrical energy, not shown. The main current supplying wires 2| 9 extend upwardly from the wires 2|3Y and through a-suitable insulator 22| on-the top 2| of thebox |69.

On its rearward side, the box 50' is provided with two normally vertically disposed guides 229. The latter are positioned at each side of the rearward wall of the box i 59 and are secured thereto by means of suitable bolts 222. The oppositely disposed edges of the guides 220 are normally vertical and are beveled towards each other at their outer or rearward ends for complemental engagement with the beveled edges 224 of a pair of vertically disposed guide-tracks'229; The latter are, in turn, secured byV means of suitable boltsto avertically disposed plate 230.

As best shown inl Figuure 13, a bar 22'! is-attached by bolts 229 to one side of the box |60 adjacent to and overlapping the outer side of the rearward wall thereof. The bar 229 is for threadedly receiving set screws 23| which are in positions for bearing against one of the guidesv 225 to force'the same into closer engagement with the-adjacent guide-tracks 226.

At its upper end the plate23 is secured by* means `of suitable bolts 232 to a horizontallydisposed bar 234 which is rounded at its outer ends for pivotal receipt in suitable apertures 233 in a pair of pillow blocks 298. Thus the lamp box |59 and upper holder are permitted to swing or pivot through a vertical plane transverse to the .parallel horizontal planes defined by the upper side of the platform 28 and the lower side |54 of the upper holder during use.

The pillow blocks 23S are in turn secured by means of suitable bolts 249 to a 'vertically disposed face-plate 242'. The face-plate 24| is attached by means' of four horizontally disposed spaced apart pegs 242 to a vertically disposed face-plate 243. The face-plate 243 extends sideways of the machine a distance to slightly greater than the transverse width of the lamp box |59. At its under side, the face-plate 24S is welded or otherwise suitably secured to a rectangular supporting frame 244, best shown in Figures 2 and 4, and at its sides the face-plate.

The supporting frame 244 is ,preferably formed of angle iron and is of elongated rectangular shape in top-plan view. The frame 244 is provided with two transverse angle irons 245 extending" from the front to the back at each end thereof. The latter are in turn supported upon four spaced apart suitable posts 2453 which extend vertically downwardly from the angle irons 245.

In order to move the lamp-housing a vertical direction and without swinging it and'for purposes later described a lever 24'? is preferably employed. The lever 24'l is swingable in a vertical plane and the lower end thereof is rigidly attached to a shaft 245 by means of a collar 249 having a set-screw extending therethrough.

As best shown in Figure 13, the shaft 248 extends through two spaced apart pillow blocks 249. The latter are attached by means of bolts 259 or of other suitable keepers to the'rear closed wall of the lamp-housing |59 as best shown in Figure' 13. A cam or collar 25i, as best shown in Figure 10, is rigidly'attached to the shaft 248 between the pillow blocks 249. The member 25| is provided with a lerf 252 for receiving therein an elongated horizontal lug 253, or the like, the latter being spaced from and attached to the rear wall of the lamp-housing |69, by means of two spaced apart blocks 254, carrying the ends of the lug 253. Machine screws 255 secure the blocks 254 to the rear wall of the lamp-housing |69;

An aperture 255 is provided through the vertically disposed plate 235 and between the blocks 259 to receive the cam 25| for permitting the lever 24T to move the lamp-housing with respect to the member 239.

A bumper, best shown in Figures l0 and 11, is provided for properly spacing the plate 23|) from the face-plate 24| so as to maintain the glass |54 horizontal during operation. The bumper may be in any desired shape fullling the purpose and is shown as a horizontal bar 257 secured to the rearward side of the plate 23u by means of bolts box -160 to the face-plate 241. Other releasable clamping or locking means may obviously be'used in place of the bolts 259.

The posts 246 are mounted at their lower ends on other suitable horizontally disposed angle irons 260 and-the horizontal sides of the latter are secured by means of suitable bolts 262, to theE upper side of the platform I0.

As best shown inA Figure 4, the plate 243 extends sideways of the machine and is braced by two vertically disposed brace plates 263 attached at right angles to each side of the plate 246. A standard 210 is attached to the rearward side of the plate 246 by means of suitable bolts 212. The standard 210 is vertically disposed and is pivotally connected at its upper end by means of a pin 214 with a latch arm 216, which is provided with a horizontal opening therethrough at its rearward end for receiving the bolt 214 and with a protruding catch portion 280 at its forward end, as shown in Figure 3, for engaging a suitable hook 282, which latter is secured to the forward side of the lamp-box 160.

The hook 282 is of rectangular shape in side elevation, as best shown in Figure l, and is provided with a forwardly and downwardly inclined lower side for engaging cooperatively with that side of the end portion 288, which is disposed toward the pivot pin 214, the said side being inclined downwardly and toward the pin 214, at times when the arm 216 is in a horizontal position as shown in Figure 3.

The purpose of the latch arm 216 is for maintaining the lamp-housing or box 160 in a horizontal position as shown in dotted lines at 284 in Figure 3 for rendering the under surface of the housing |60 accessible to the operator as later described by swinging the housing 160 in the pillow blocks 238 by means of a handle 283 which is secured to the forward wall of the lamp box 160 by bolts 281.

The rectangular frame 244 serves the further; purpose of supporting a pump 360 and a motor 302, which latter are mounted on two spaced apart transverse supports 304 and 306 respectively, the latter being suitably secured to the frame 244. The motor 302 is disposed in spaced apart parallelism with the pump 300 and is drivably connected therewith by means of a suitable belt 308 and pulleys 310 and 312.

The outlet side of the pump 300 is in communication with a hose 314 and the latter interconnects the pump 300 to one end of a Vacuum tank 316. The latter is mounted on the platform at the rearward end thereof and is provided with two inlet ports 318 and 320 spaced from the outlet ports 322 to which the hose 314 is coupled.

The inlet port 320, which is adjacent the center of the tank 316, is in communication with a suitable hose 324 and the latter extends upwardlytoward a valve 326, the latter being provided with a suitable operating handle 328. The valve 326 is for the purpose of opening and closing the line between the hose 324 and a vertically extending hose 329,. The latter is secured at one end to the valve 326 by suitable couplings33ii and 332 at the outer end to a T-coupling 340.

The T-coupling 340 is attached to two oppositely extending vacuum hoses 112, which are in communication with the vacuum channel 166 as previously described.

The end coupling 318 is attached by means of the hose 360 to the hand-valve 151 for controlling the vacuum in the lower vacuum channel 141.

The invention further includes a punching device generally indicated at 400, best shown in Figures 14 to 16. The latter is mounted upon a box 402, inside of which a source of light, preferably a bulb 404,` is mounted in a socket 406. The latter is in turn secured to the bottom of the box 400 by screws 408.

An electrical cord 410 extends from the socket 406 through an aperture in a side of the box, the

terminals 412 of the cord 410 are in communication with a suitable source of electrical energy, not shown. An annular insulator 414 is provided between the cord 410 and the walls of the cord aperture. Y

At the top of the box 402, a rectangular rim 416 is provided, the latter having a main body portion 410 of larger perimeter than the sides of the box 402 for resting on the top of the latter, and also having a downwardly protruding rectangular flange portion 420 of slightly lesser perimeter than the sides of the box 402 for reception therein.

A horizontal plate 430 of translucent material, preferably plastic or glass, is disposed upon the top of the rim 416, the plate 430 having the same outer dimensions as the rim 416.

Two round apertures 432 are provided in the plate 430 for thepurpose of receiving later described punches. The sidewalls of each of the apertures 432 are preferably lined with a suitable metallic lining 434 for providing an upper cutting surface for cooperation with said punches.

The purpose of the plate 430 is to support a piece of film or other photographic material 436, usually a negative, during punching thereof. The plate 430 is provided with indicia therein or thereon for cooperation with other marks or indicia on the material 436 to facilitate the alignment of the image on the latter with respect to the apertures 432 for accurate punching of holes. Such indicia are preferably in the form of cross hairs 440 disposed at a right angle to each other and in parallelism with the respective sides of the rim 416.

Other indicia such as two or more dots, for registry with corresponding dots on the negative, could be used in place of the cross hairs 440.

The plate 430 is secured to the rim 416, by screws 433 extending through apertures in the former, the screws being threadedly received in the rim 416.

A common punch and mallet may be used to punch holes in the negative 436. A permanently attached punching mechanism is preferred, however. The latter includes two bars 442 pivotally attached at their centers to opposite sides of the rim 416 by means of pins 444.

A pair of horizontally disposed punch-holding anges 445 are attached, one each, to the bars 442 by means of bolts 446. The undersides of the flanges 445 are flat and are provided with punches 448 secured therein at a right angle to the flat underside of the anges 445. The punches 448 are of proper size and in proper position for reception in the apertures 432.

A handle 450 in the form of a flat plate extends 'between and is attached to the rearward ends of the bars 452 by means of screws 454.

In operation, a sheet of negative photographic material 436 having an image thereon, is placed upon the plastic plate 430 of the punch box 400.

placed with respect to the image, are caused to register with the cross-hairs 440, and at a time 1'3 when the bars 442 and the punches 44S are in an unwardly tilted position as illustrated in Figure 1 The operator will then grip the handle '-559 and tilt the same forward causing the punches 44S to punch holes in the negative e36 in cooperation with the metal lining 434 of the apertures 432. The punches 448 are then returned to the position shown in Figure 16 and the negative S35 is removed.

'Ihe latter is then placed against the glass plate |54 of the upper holder of the lamp-box |66 at a time when the latter is held in a horizontal position by the latch arm 216 as illustrated in broken lines at 284 in Figure 3. The pins or pegs are then inserted through the apertures thus formed in the negative and into apertures in the rim |52, and at a time when the valve 325 is closed.

The valve 325 is then opened for permitting the'vacuum tank 3|@ to draw a vacuum upon the negative plate |53 through the channels |56. The pins |15 may then be removed from the supporting rim |62 and as long as the valve 326 remains open, the vacuum will cause the negative |53 to adhere to the glass |54.

A piece of positive photographic material, not shown, may then be placed upon the lower holder or platform 28. Such positive material will be of a larger size than the negative |53 and of a size corresponding substantially to the outer dimensions of the platform 23. The valve |52 may then be opened for causing the` vacuumV tank 3|6 to draw a vacuum upon the positive plate through the channel itil for holding the positive plate securely in place upon the platform 28. The lamp-box |63 is then released from` the latch arm 276 and permitted to pivot into a vertical position.

The detents 66 and |30 are then caused to be properly spaced apart upon their respective guide rods 44 and |20. This is accomplished by selecting suitable accurately dimensioned spacing blocks, not shown, from a rack near the machine, placing desired ones of the blocks between successive detents Se and I3@ to measure the spacing of the latter, and by tig tening the screws 'i'for rigidly securing the detents and |38 in desired positions with respect to each other.

The platform or lower holder 28 is then placed in a desired position with respect to the upper holder |56 by sliding the latter longitudinally and transversely upon the respective tracks or rails IA and |8 until the locking dog arms l lo and |32 are positioned so that their tabs will be in registry with the opposing walls 82 and 84 of the nibs 8i! of the detents 5S and 36.

Excessive travel of the wheels 25, |53 and 42 along their respective rails itl and it is prevented by stop-pins 448 and d, having shoulders 452 and 454 which latter are secured in suitable apertures in the ends of at least one rail of each of the pairs of rails i4 and I8.

The locking dog arms Ht and |32 are then urged downwardly against selected ones of the detents 56 and |38. In such position, the springs |06 will cause the locking dog arms to remain in tight engagement with the detents, as previously described. At such times the locking dog arms and detents and associated parts are in the position illustrated in Figure 8.

The operator will then lower the upper holder by pulling forwardly on the lever 2M, rotating the cam 25| in a clock-wise direction as shown in Figure 10 for pushing downwardly upon the light cannot enter between the marginal edges.

thereof, despite the variances in the thicknesses of the positive and negative plates and other possible machinery defects.

The light bulbs 206 and 2| 6 are then caused Y to be lit for a desired period of time, usually.y

through the use of a timing switch, not shown,

Light from the various bulbs 206 and 2|6 is` caused to be relatively evenly dispersed across the negative lm |53 through the action of the.

frosted glass plate 204.

When the positive plate has been exposed a proper length of time the operator will then swing the lever 241 upwardly and rearwardly for causing the lamp box |60 to be verticallyA disposed away from the lower holder 28. At this time, the operator will again shift the lower holder 28 transversely or longitudinally as is desired for placing the locking dog arms H0- and |32 in engagement with other desired detentsV 65 or |30. During these motions, the locking dog arms ||0 and |32 will be maintained in an upward position, out of engagement withv the detent |36 and detents 66 through the action of the springs |56 andthe lower holder 28 will move in a parallel plane with respect to the` underside |54 of the upper holder. The locking` og arms H0 and |32 may then again be lowered into engagement with other selected detents in their respective rows.

The lever 24? may then be pulled forwardly and downwardly for bringing the negative iilm 53 into engagement with a different portionof the positive material on the lower holder 28 and the exposure step may be repeated. Successive: shiftings of the lower holder with respect to the upper holder |56 and successive exposure steps as described, will cause the positive image receiving material to become exposed with the image represented on the negative film in a plurality of accurately spaced positions, so that? waste will be'avoided and operating'time will be" saved. The positive and negative` plates mayH then be released from their respective holders by closing the vacuum valves |5| and 326're'- spectively.

This invention provides a contact printing machine for accurately reproducing a single imagev or group of images from image-bearing printing material into a plurality of accurately spaced positions on image-receiving printing material, in a manner whereby waste is eliminated and operating time conserved and by means of which photographic plates may be attached thereto in a. more facile manner than heretofore; and this invention further provides a negative plate punching device for accurately punching alignment holes.

It will be seen that in lieu of the lm |53, any image-bearing printing material can be used, for example, a metallic printing plate. In the use of the latter, of course, the lights 206 and Zit will have no effect. Also, any cooperative image receiving material can be placed opposite the image-bearing material |53. The terms positive and negative used throughout are relative and either may be referred to as the positive or l5. the negative material, the lights and shades in each being reversed with respect to the lights and shades of the other.

We claim:

1. A contact printing machine comprising a horizontally disposed bed on a mounting frame, spaced transversely disposed parallel rails mounted in the frame, supporting brackets mounted to travel on the said transverse rails, spaced longitudinally disposed parallel tracks carried by said supporting brackets, a nlm holder platform mounted to travel on the said longitudinal tracks, a rectangular shape lamp housing positioned above the said platform, means mounting the lamp housing for vertical travel on the frame and also for vertical travel in relation to the said platform, a shaft having a cam and also a hand lever thereon journaled on the frame, a lug carried by the lamp housing and positioned to coact with the cam for elevating the said lamp housing, a translucent plate mounted in thelcwer end of the said lamp housing, means retaining a lm against the said translucent plate on the lower end of the lamp housing, means pivotally mounting the lamp housing through the upper end thereof on the said frame, whereby the lamp housing is operative from a vertical to a horizontal position, and means for actuating the said lamp housing from the vertical to a horizontal position.

2. A contact printing machine comprising a horizontally disposed bed on a mounting frame, spaced transversely disposed parallel rails mounted in theA frame, supporting brackets mounted to travel on the said transverse rails, spaced longitudinally disposed parallel tracks carried by said supporting brackets, a lm holder 'platform mounted to travel on the'said longitudinal tracks, a rectangular shape lamp housing positioned above the said platform, means mounting the lamp housing for vertical travel on the frame and also for vertical travel in relation to the said platform, a shaft having a cam and also a hand lever thereon journaled on the frame, aulug carried by the lamp housing and positioned to coact with the cam for elevating the said lamp housing, a translucent plate mounted in the lower end of the said lamp housing, means retaining a :6.1m against the said translucent plate on the lower end of the lamp housing, means pivotally mounting the lamp housing through the upper end thereof on the said frame, whereby the lamp housing is operative from a vertical to a horizontal position, means for actuating the said lamp housing from the vertical to a horizontal position, and positioning means for locating the platform in printing positions transversely and also longitudinally of the mounting frame.

I6' 3. A contact printing machine comprising a horizontally disposed bed on a mounting frame,

spaced transversely disposed parallel rails mount* ed in the frame, supporting brackets mounted to travel on the said transverse rails, spaced longitudinally disposed parallel tracks carried by said supporting brackets, a film holder platform mounted to travel on the said longitudinal tracks, a rectangular shape lamp housing positioned above the said platform, means mounting the lamp housing for vertical travel on the frame and also for vertical travel in relation to the said platform, a shaft having a cam and also a hand lever thereon journaled on the frame, a lug carried by the lamp housing and positioned to coact with the cam for elevating the said lamp housing, a translucent plate mounted in the lower end of the said lamp housing, means retaining a film against the said translucent plate on the lower end of the lamp housing, means positioning films and the like on the light housing and platform, means pivotally mounting the lamp housing through the upper end thereof on the said frame, whereby the lamp housing is operative from a vertical to a horizontal position, and means for actuating the said lamp housing from the vertical to a horizontal position. v

HERMAN H. HILLMER.

HENRY P. ORENT.

' REFERENCES CITED The -following references are of record in the le of this patent:

IUNlIED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 954,290 Huebner Apr. 5, 1910 1,137,454 Bowser Apr. 27, 1915 1,471,672 Wehrli Oct. 23,1923 1,750,294 Bassist Mar. 11, 1930 1,784,206 Snyder Dec. 9, 1930 1,787,662 Boedicker Jan. 6, 1931 1,813,689 Weisker July 7, 1931 2,049,557 Cooper et al Aug. 4, 1936 2,169,891 Beal et al Aug. 15,` 1939 2,200,365 Nickelsberg May 14, 1940 2,210,726 Mazzocco Aug. 6, 1940 2,237,704 Huebner Apr. 8, 1941 2,418,226 Hal Apr. 1, 1947 2,421,500 Hai June 3, 1947 2,451,730 Greenlee Oct. 19, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 173,116 Great Britain Dec. 29, 1921 528,088 Germany June 25, 1931 596,361 Germany May 3, 1934 695,799 Germany Sept. 3, 1940

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